ATTACK ON SAN JUAN DE ULÚA.
193
pearance, signals flying, and boats hurrying to and fro with orders among the French squadron, which exhibited a total of 26 vessels, including transports, with about 4,000 men,[1] out of which three frigates, two bomb-ketches, to the north-east and north respectively, and one sloop of war were designated for the first day s fight, employing 104 guns, while several other vessels cruised in different directions, some to observe the effect of the shells and correct the aim by signals.[2]
The ships were allowed to take up position unmolested,
San Juan de Ulúa
although a few shots might have disabled the steamers employed for the purpose.[3] At half-past two
- ↑ According to the list issued a month later, which does not include the 3 or 4 small vessels seized from the Mexicans prior to November 27th. This list shows 4,318 men.
- ↑ Rincon, Manifiesto, p. 1., adds 2 frigates, 2 steamers, and a brig to the active participants, but the official list in Blanchard is as above. The celebrated Farragut, who witnessed the operation, praises Baudin for his plan. He would be undoubtedly a rara avis in any navy. He is about fifty years of age, has lost his right arm, looks like a north Europe man, . . . with the expres sion of great decision, with firmness and activity to execute his well digested plans. Letter in Farragut, Life, 133.
- ↑ This was made a charge against Gaona, but he had orders not to begin
